A mental model approach to teaching database querying skills with SQL and Alteryx

This paper describes an instructional approach and exercises to introduce a data analytics tool into an existing course that covers relational databases and structured query language (SQL). SQL and relational databases are traditional topics in many AIS classes and are frequently taught with established technologies such as Microsoft Access. With the onset of newer data analytics tools, educators are faced with the challenge of incorporating emerging technologies while still covering basic foundational concepts. In this paper, we position SQL as the mental model for learning the data preparation and data blending features of a popular analytics tool, Alteryx. We split the traditional SQL content from our course into four increments that increase in complexity. For each increment, we use a multi-step approach to first develop students’ mental model of the SQL query code and then apply the mental model to the new environment of Alteryx. For each increment, students solve the same set of problems in SQL and Alteryx, so that the understanding of SQL eases the transition to Alteryx, and the practice in Alteryx reinforces the understanding of SQL.